SOLE Blog

December 14th, 2010

A Pain in the Back!

I read a statistic recently that claimed eight out of ten people will experience back pain at some point in their life. I found myself shocked that the number was that low. Really, can you think of a single person you know that hasn't suffered from an ache or irritation between their shoulder blades, mid, or lower back? Between sports, sitting, backpacks, poor posture, and genetics, I don't see how anyone could make it through life without experiencing some type of back discomfort.

In the same way that there are countless factors that can cause back irritation, there are several things that can help contribute to a healthy, pain-free back. I definitely haven't found any single, "magic bullet" cure, but I know that for me, a combination of the right treatment, exercise, and equipment are essential:

The Right Treatment

There are a variety of treatments to choose from: acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy, etc. Physical therapy (PT) includes a variety of different treatments. These treatments are designed to help restore function, improve mobility, and relieve pain in muscles, joints, etc. PT's can assist in recovery through a variety of treatments, including, but not limited to:

• massage therapy
• ultrasound
• electrical stimulation
• muscle strengthening and flexibility exercises

The Right Exercise

Having a strong, flexible “core” is important to help alleviate stress put on the back. The Running Injury Clinic outlines several exercises designed to increase strength and flexibility. These exercises can be done at home or at the gym

The Right Gear

Gear supporting your back and body from the ground up is extremely important. As many of you may have experienced, SOLE Custom Footbeds and Footwear feature several important characteristics that can help alleviate back pain:

• shock absorption
• proper arch support
• even distribution of weight
• stability

When your feet are properly supported, the rest of your body is encouraged to stay “in line.” Your ankles, knees, hips, and (you guessed it) your back benefit from the shape of SOLE Footbeds and Footwear.

Whether walking, running, standing, or doing whatever it is you do, the above should help move you in the right direction to improving your back health.

— Alyssa Morrell | Customer Service Manager

Posted by: Matt Lambert at 4:13 p.m. in Medical | Comments (0)